S.S. Japan, 1868–74 The Japan officially accommodated as many as 190 in 50 first-class staterooms and 908 in row after row of open bunks stacked three high in steerage. The most frequent first-class passengers were businessmen, missionaries, and government and military officials. Steerage was filled almost entirely by Chinese merchants and laborers. In the month-long Pacific crossing, steerage passengers made do with no dining or sitting rooms. The immigrant trade was so profitable that the Japan often carried hundreds of passengers beyond its legal limit. In 1873 the Japan’s captain was cited for carrying 451 passengers above the legal limit on a single voyage.
from the New York Times, Dec. 22, 1874:
LATEST NEWS BY CABLE.
BURNING OF THE JAPAN.
ANOTHER PARTY OF THE CREW AND PASSENGERS PICKED UP
THOSE STILL MISSING.
HONG KONG, Dec. 21 - The Captain and several men of the crew and passengers of the Pacific Mail steam-ship Japan have arrived here. The following yet remain to be heard from: Mr. R.M. Tindell, a cabin passenger, one steerage passenger, Surgeon Gale, several of the crew, and 400 Chines.
The steamer was first discovered to be on fire about 11 o'clock Thursday evening, the fire being located over the boilers. The vessel was then 150 miles from Hong Kong. After two hours spent in fruitless efforts to get the fire under control, the Captain decided to abandon the vessel, and at 1 o'clock on Friday morning all hands were transferred to the boats. They remained about the vessel until noon of that day, when all proceeded to Swatow. The mails were not saved.